Electronically triggered personal athletic device

• US 9,250,611 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, Edward L., Case, Charles W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEE, ANDREW W.
• Application Number:
  US14/485,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20150003214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/309.16, 482/8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 60/10 inside cases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 : Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 : at kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 : at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0281 : Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/24 : Race time-recorders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

An athletic device is worn by a participant during an athletic event (e.g., a race). In one example, a race course is provided with a plurality of mats or signal devices along the race course. The mats may have antennas and generate a magnetic field. The device may include a chip system having an RFID tag and a display. As the participant progress along the course, the tag is triggered at each mat and race data may be displayed on the device. Data relating to a location of the participant may also be provided to the participant during the athletic event.

Claims

1. A user device worn by an athlete during a timed event, the device comprising:

an attachment member for connecting the device to an article of apparel;

a transceiver coupled to the attachment member, the transceiver to receive wireless signals during the timed event wherein the signals cause the device to automatically determine and record one or more measured split times for the athlete during the timed event;

a bistable display coupled to the attachment member, the bistable display configured to display data associated with the timed event including;

the one or more measured split times for the athlete during the timed event, a plurality of predefined split times for the event, and, at a conclusion of the timed event, perpetually display an elapsed time for the athlete, wherein the data associated with the timed event further includes an indication as to whether the athlete is on pace, ahead of pace or behind pace as preset by the athlete; and

memory storing personal information of the athlete and wherein the transceiver transmits the personal information during a registration process for the timed event.

2. The user device of claim 1, the transceiver further comprising an RFID transceiver.

3. The user device of claim 1, wherein the user device is configured for one-time use for the timed event.

4. The user device of claim 1, wherein the elapsed time for the athlete is automatically displayed at the conclusion of the timed event.

5. The user device of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured to display an elapsed time for the athlete during the timed event.

6. A user device worn by an athlete during a timed event, the device comprising:

an attachment member for connecting the device to an article of apparel;

a transceiver coupled to the attachment member, the transceiver to receive wireless signals during the timed event wherein the signals cause the device to automatically determine and record one or more measured split times for the athlete during the timed event;

a bistable display coupled to the attachment member, the bistable display configured to display data associated with the timed event including;

the one or more measured split times for the athlete during the timed event, a plurality of predefined split times for the event, and, at a conclusion of the timed event, perpetually display an elapsed time for the athlete, wherein the data associated with the timed event further includes an indication as to whether the athlete is on pace, ahead of pace or behind pace as preset by the athlete; and

at least one processor and memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the device to;

in response to detecting at least one of multiple distinct electronic signals;

retrieve, based on a determined current geographic location of the athlete, predefined location information describing the geographic location of the athlete, wherein the location information is defined prior to determining the current geographic location of the athlete; and

convey the predefined location information to the athlete.

7. A user device worn by an athlete during a timed event, the device comprising:

an attachment member for connecting the device to an article of apparel;

a transceiver coupled to the attachment member, the transceiver to receive wireless signals during the timed event wherein the signals cause the device to automatically determine and record one or more measured split times for the athlete during the timed event;

a bistable display coupled to the attachment member, the bistable display configured to display data associated with the timed event including;

the one or more measured split times for the athlete during the timed event, a plurality of predefined split times for the event, and, at a conclusion of the timed event, perpetually display an elapsed time for the athlete, wherein the data associated with the timed event further includes an indication as to whether the athlete is on pace, ahead of pace or behind pace as preset by the athlete, and

wherein the plurality of predefined split times are defined as part of a user-specified plan for the timed event and wherein the transceiver receives the plan for the timed event from another device.

8. The user device of claim 7, the transceiver further comprising an RFID transceiver.

9. The user device of claim 7, wherein the user device is configured for one-time use for the timed event.

10. The user device of claim 7, wherein the elapsed time for the athlete is automatically displayed at the conclusion of the timed event.

11. The user device of claim 7, wherein the display is further configured to display an elapsed time for the athlete during the timed event.